Small Gable Vents: Letting Your Attic Breathe

Small gable vents are typically present on an attic's exterior walls and are useful for air circulation in extreme climate conditions.

An attic without ventilation is virtually sealed off and traps heat and moisture inside, which reduces the lifespan of shingles on the roof.

In summers, this can add to the cost of cooling the house as the trapped heat and moisture spreads to the whole house. The humidity that builds up in the attic can also wreak havoc on any personal belongings you store there. 

In winters, the stagnant air can give rise to the formation of mildew, fungus and mould.

Proper attic ventilation through gable vents works on the principle that heated air is lighter and naturally rises over the fresh air that flows in through intake vents.

Design component

While most venting systems like passive vents for roofs like ridge vents or soffit vents stay hidden, gable venting systems are meant to be seen and act as a decorative accessory on roofs. They incorporate an architectural element to plain rooftops by adding a unique accent to the roof's exterior. Gable vents for homes come in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of the attic. They are also available in varying shapes like circle, semi-circle, octagon, triangle, diamond, and cathedral. You can choose your small gable vents to have slats of materials like wood, vinyl or metal for the look that best suits the exterior of your home's aesthetics. The unending customizability lets you style gable vents according to your tastes.

How many gable vents do you need?

The number of gable vents you need will depend on the size of your attic. Gable vents for attics may need to work in conjunction with other venting systems like ridge or soffit vents to create proper airflow. Passive venting systems are usually inexpensive and can be easily maintained.